Pubs will have the option to request temporary licenses for matches that may run past 2am due to time zone differences. The Home Secretary was previously considering only allowing pubs to open later if a home nation reached the quarter-finals. If England wins their group, their round of 32 game will be on July 1; if they come second, it will be on July 2.
If Scotland wins their round of 32 game, their round of 16 match would take place on July 4 or 5. Liverpool pubs have backed the idea of extending opening hours for the World Cup knockout stages. Seel Street's Irish bar Pogue Mahone already opens until 3am on weekends, and Newington Temple is licensed until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
It's great to see the Government seeing sense overall and having this option for the nation. It’s going to be a great occasion for everyone to enjoy this summer and, of course, the UK’s hospitality industry too will benefit.
According to Liverpool Echo, Sean Singleton described the policy as great for the nation and the hospitality industry. According to Liverpool Echo, Iain Hoskins described the option to stay open later as beneficial for showing games and uniting people. It is not yet specified which home nations are covered, what criteria pubs must meet for temporary licenses, whether the extended hours apply nationwide, or the official start date if a home nation qualifies.
The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events there is, so it's great that we have got the option to stay open later. We're licensed until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays already, so it will be great to stay open longer if we can. I hope this summer will be an epic one for the nation and also for everyone involved in the hospitality industry. Sport unites people together in a wonderful way and we will be showing plenty of the games during the World Cup in Newington Temple. And it's about time we had a home nation victory too. Fingers are crossed.